What Causes GOOD Kids to Make BAD Grades?
They're not up late, soaking up video games. They don't talk back or hang around the wrong kind of people. Some kids are just burdened with an obstacle that causes them to make bad grades, much to the dismay of their parents and teachers.
There's no blanket cause for why good kids sometimes fail to make the grade in school. But there is a way to get at the root of your child's problem so that you can quickly and easily apply a solution.
Your child doesn't want to bring home a bad report card. It's humiliating, intimidating, and lowers their self esteem. They're often scolded by teachers, punished by parents, and even taunted by peers because of their inability to score better on daily work and tests.
When children get presented with an obstacle in the learning process, they can't pinpoint the problem on their own. They may not realize what's causing them to have trouble learning as fast as their peers.
This results in a lot of educational frustration - especially for those who are trying their hardest and feel like they're spinning their wheels, getting nowhere. There are solutions for elementary, middle, and high school students who can't quite grasp concepts as fats as their peers.
There's no blanket cause for why good kids sometimes fail to make the grade in school. But there is a way to get at the root of your child's problem so that you can quickly and easily apply a solution.
Your child doesn't want to bring home a bad report card. It's humiliating, intimidating, and lowers their self esteem. They're often scolded by teachers, punished by parents, and even taunted by peers because of their inability to score better on daily work and tests.
When children get presented with an obstacle in the learning process, they can't pinpoint the problem on their own. They may not realize what's causing them to have trouble learning as fast as their peers.This results in a lot of educational frustration - especially for those who are trying their hardest and feel like they're spinning their wheels, getting nowhere. There are solutions for elementary, middle, and high school students who can't quite grasp concepts as fats as their peers.
Contents at a Glance
- What Parents Need to Know, What Parents Need to Do
- Even Good Parents Have Kids Whose Grades Falter
- Our FREE Gift to You:
What Parents Need to Know, What Parents Need to Do
Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids: What Parents Need to Know, What Parents Need to Do
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"Many books I have read about helping you raise your children are mostly filled with common sense ideas, are rather boring, and are pretty bland. This book actually causes you to think about how you interact with your children and things that you could say or do in various real situations. It is beautifully written with entertaining anecdotes that you want to remember and repeat to your friends."
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Even Good Parents Have Kids Whose Grades Falter
No one is saying you made a parenting mistake and it's resulted in your child's grades being poor.In fact, there could be a number of reasons contributing to the decline of your child's grades that aren't obvious to you.
Academic difficulty is a cause and effect issue. Sometimes the bad grades result in disharmony at home and at school, which compound the problem even more and make recovering from the poor grades even more difficult.
Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids is a resource that will help your family discover the root cause of your child's poor grades, and provide solutions that will help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Your child could be feeling excess pressure to succeed academically. In the pages of this book, written by Al and Linda Silbert, you'll apply the S-T-R-O-N-G concept, which builds an academic foundation on the 6 core issues of:
- Self Esteem
Trust
Responsibility
Options
Needs
Goals
Once you read the book and understand how each of those concepts are to be applied to your own child's life, you'll all feel less frustration, and you'll be able to nurture your child's success in school better.
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Strong Learning Habits for Special Needs Children
A special needs child can be anyone who struggles to learn. It can also include children suffering from ADD, ADHA, Dyslexia, or a host of other problems. For years, there's been a consensus that if a child was making bad grades, then all you had to do was whip him in shape with a good grounding, strict rules, and harsh intimidation.We now know that this isn't the way to help a child succeed in school - and in fact, it can often cause even more damage to your child's self esteem and ability to achieve milestones in an academic setting.
Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids helps you look at a child's individual situation and objectively analyze the cause of his or her sagging performance in school. Many professionals tend to apply a one-size-fits-all blame to the situation, which does a great disservice to your child's potential.
Is it possible that your child is just lazy, irresponsible, or forgetful about doing his or her work?Sure, but there are other issues to consider, too! You may not realize that your child's school has piled on too much homework, or that the work is above the level your child is capable of handling for that particular subject matter.
It could be something as simple as your child's need for a quiet, calm environment at school and at home to complete his work. Even fear of failure can paralyze a child to the brink of being unable to complete work on time. You won't know until you learn to diagnose the problem.
Tips on Helping Your Children Learn more Quickly and Easily:
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Exciting News!
Excellent News!
"Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids" has been selected as a Semi-Finalist in the Education category of the Foreword Magazine Best Books 2007 Awards!
On National TV
One of Strong Learning tutors is being featured on two Network TV programs:
Friday March 14 -
* CBS Evening News, NY, 6:30 pm with Katie Couric & Steve Hartman
* 20/20 with Barbara Walters at 10:00 PM
Scheduled Book Signings
Barnes and Noble - Poughkeepsie, New York Sat March 15, 2008 3:00 PM
Barnes and Noble- Stamford, Connecticut
Tue April 29, 2008 4:30-8:00
Educator Appreciation Day, reading and book signing
"Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids" has been selected as a Semi-Finalist in the Education category of the Foreword Magazine Best Books 2007 Awards!
On National TV
One of Strong Learning tutors is being featured on two Network TV programs:
Friday March 14 -
* CBS Evening News, NY, 6:30 pm with Katie Couric & Steve Hartman
* 20/20 with Barbara Walters at 10:00 PM
Scheduled Book Signings
Barnes and Noble - Poughkeepsie, New York Sat March 15, 2008 3:00 PM
Barnes and Noble- Stamford, Connecticut
Tue April 29, 2008 4:30-8:00
Educator Appreciation Day, reading and book signing
How to Help Your Dysgraphic Child
by Al and Linda Silbert
Dysgraphia is a learning disability which makes writing very difficult. It is so difficult for dysgraphic children to write that many find it easier to accept failure than to handwrite lengthy tests, homework assignments, and other tasks requiring a lot of writing. Is it the intense concentration required? Is it the physical discomfort? Is it the inevitable criticism from well-meaning but misguided adults? How many times can they hear the stern, authoritative voice say "Re-write this mess!" before they are ready to scream?
In addition to making writing assignments painful, dysgraphia peripherally affects other aspects of learning. Here are a few examples.
- Writing essays and school reports. For the dysgraphic child, this is tedious and painful, as is having to write the answers to homework questions in complete sentences-whew!
- Doing arithmetic. For the dysgraphic child, keeping numbers lined up in columns is difficult. It's easy to see that doing arithmetic computations-adding columns of numbers, doing long division-are fertile grounds for disaster.
- Copying from the chalkboard. A simple task for other students, but for the dysgraphic child, copying an assignment from the chalk board, and then decrypting it later that day, is about as difficult as climbing a tall mountain.
Once diagnosed and classified as dysgraphic, the child can begin to learn how to succeed by learning how to compensate. Baldwin, one such child, comes to mind. Once classified, the nightmare of school began to improve. He took readily to keyboarding, and was able to use a laptop computer to reduce the amount of writing previously required of him. He was provided with photocopies of more complex class notes, and on occasion, was provided the services of a scribe. Once these modifications were in place, Baldwin not only improved in school; he excelled. Note: Modifications can be based on a casual agreement with the teacher or principal, or they can be more formal, for example, an Individual Educational Plan IEP, classification for dysgraphia, or Accommodation / Section 504 plan. For additional information on learning disability (LD) issue, contact the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA).
TIPS TO HELP DYSGRAPHIC KIDS:
1. WORD PROCESSING. Dysgraphic children should be encouraged to learn keyboarding and word processing. In addition to the physical relief from handwriting, these high-tech aids provide other conveniences such as spelling and grammar functions, which free them from some of the mechanical aspects of writing. This works particularly well with older children.
2. WRITING ASSISTANT. Arrangements need to be made so that when required to do a lengthy writing assignment, the child can dictate what they want to write to an adult. The adult can then write or word-process the text. If required, the child can then hand-copy the final paper. (To help your child keep his place when copying, coach him to place a sticky-note above the line being copied and move it down the page, line by line.)
3. SPACING TIPS. When your child writes something freehand, help him to space his words properly by placing his finger between words and using the tip of his thumb to the knuckle for paragraph indenting.
4. KEEPING NUMBERS LINED UP. Dysgraphic children have a tough time keeping columns of numbers lined up when doing "pencil and paper" arithmetic computations. A great strategy is to use lined paper turned sideways. The vertical spaces between the lines provide column guides that can help keep everything lined up.
5. SPECIAL LINED PAPER. Use lined paper with spaces between the lines. This can be found on line, at stores that carry school supplies, and at teacher stores.
6. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. Arrange for special consideration; extra time and/or a reduction of written work. This may include suspending the requirement of rephrasing questions and using complete sentences when answering homework questions. For example, if the homework question is: "What was the reaction of the British when the colonists presented the declaration of independence?" Instead of having to rewrite ("The reaction of the British when the colonists presented the declaration of independence was that the British declared war on the colonists."), your child can simply write "The British declared war on the colonists."
7. ISOLATE SPELLING IN GRADING AND EVALUATING WORK. Since spelling is often an issue for dysgraphic kids, spelling may not be counted as part of the evaluation of routine assignments. (Naturally, spelling tests are the exception.) If spelling needs to be graded, it should be graded separately, so that your child's writing style and ideas are not downgraded because of spelling errors.
8. SCRIBE. Arrange to have the school provide a scribe for certain situations. For example, the school can provide a scribe to help the dysgraphic child write answers to essay or other long-answer questions on tests. This helps the child get her thoughts on paper without having to struggle with the mechanics of writing. It also helps the teacher in that the written answers will be legible.
9. PHOTOCOPY. Arrange for class notes (and the next day's homework assignments) to be photocopied. These can be from teacher's notes or from those of a willing student who takes good notes. Or, an up and coming high tech alternative may be available. In classrooms that have interactive whiteboard technology, the teacher's notes may be available on line.
10. USE OF COMPUTER. If you can afford a laptop, or if your school system provides "loaner laptops," arrange for your child to be able to use a laptop computer in school in place of handwriting his notes and tests.
In addition to making writing assignments painful, dysgraphia peripherally affects other aspects of learning. Here are a few examples.
- Writing essays and school reports. For the dysgraphic child, this is tedious and painful, as is having to write the answers to homework questions in complete sentences-whew!
- Doing arithmetic. For the dysgraphic child, keeping numbers lined up in columns is difficult. It's easy to see that doing arithmetic computations-adding columns of numbers, doing long division-are fertile grounds for disaster.
- Copying from the chalkboard. A simple task for other students, but for the dysgraphic child, copying an assignment from the chalk board, and then decrypting it later that day, is about as difficult as climbing a tall mountain.
Once diagnosed and classified as dysgraphic, the child can begin to learn how to succeed by learning how to compensate. Baldwin, one such child, comes to mind. Once classified, the nightmare of school began to improve. He took readily to keyboarding, and was able to use a laptop computer to reduce the amount of writing previously required of him. He was provided with photocopies of more complex class notes, and on occasion, was provided the services of a scribe. Once these modifications were in place, Baldwin not only improved in school; he excelled. Note: Modifications can be based on a casual agreement with the teacher or principal, or they can be more formal, for example, an Individual Educational Plan IEP, classification for dysgraphia, or Accommodation / Section 504 plan. For additional information on learning disability (LD) issue, contact the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA).
TIPS TO HELP DYSGRAPHIC KIDS:
1. WORD PROCESSING. Dysgraphic children should be encouraged to learn keyboarding and word processing. In addition to the physical relief from handwriting, these high-tech aids provide other conveniences such as spelling and grammar functions, which free them from some of the mechanical aspects of writing. This works particularly well with older children.
2. WRITING ASSISTANT. Arrangements need to be made so that when required to do a lengthy writing assignment, the child can dictate what they want to write to an adult. The adult can then write or word-process the text. If required, the child can then hand-copy the final paper. (To help your child keep his place when copying, coach him to place a sticky-note above the line being copied and move it down the page, line by line.)
3. SPACING TIPS. When your child writes something freehand, help him to space his words properly by placing his finger between words and using the tip of his thumb to the knuckle for paragraph indenting.
4. KEEPING NUMBERS LINED UP. Dysgraphic children have a tough time keeping columns of numbers lined up when doing "pencil and paper" arithmetic computations. A great strategy is to use lined paper turned sideways. The vertical spaces between the lines provide column guides that can help keep everything lined up.
5. SPECIAL LINED PAPER. Use lined paper with spaces between the lines. This can be found on line, at stores that carry school supplies, and at teacher stores.
6. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. Arrange for special consideration; extra time and/or a reduction of written work. This may include suspending the requirement of rephrasing questions and using complete sentences when answering homework questions. For example, if the homework question is: "What was the reaction of the British when the colonists presented the declaration of independence?" Instead of having to rewrite ("The reaction of the British when the colonists presented the declaration of independence was that the British declared war on the colonists."), your child can simply write "The British declared war on the colonists."
7. ISOLATE SPELLING IN GRADING AND EVALUATING WORK. Since spelling is often an issue for dysgraphic kids, spelling may not be counted as part of the evaluation of routine assignments. (Naturally, spelling tests are the exception.) If spelling needs to be graded, it should be graded separately, so that your child's writing style and ideas are not downgraded because of spelling errors.
8. SCRIBE. Arrange to have the school provide a scribe for certain situations. For example, the school can provide a scribe to help the dysgraphic child write answers to essay or other long-answer questions on tests. This helps the child get her thoughts on paper without having to struggle with the mechanics of writing. It also helps the teacher in that the written answers will be legible.
9. PHOTOCOPY. Arrange for class notes (and the next day's homework assignments) to be photocopied. These can be from teacher's notes or from those of a willing student who takes good notes. Or, an up and coming high tech alternative may be available. In classrooms that have interactive whiteboard technology, the teacher's notes may be available on line.
10. USE OF COMPUTER. If you can afford a laptop, or if your school system provides "loaner laptops," arrange for your child to be able to use a laptop computer in school in place of handwriting his notes and tests.
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Linda Bress Silbert, Ph.D. and Alvin J. Silbert, Ed.D are the founders of Strong Learning Program - an educational breakthrough. Focusing on six key a... (more)
